Obtaining the Reward, Tears of the Void!

"Liyue," Takarou murmured, rubbing his chin, lost in his thoughts.

"Although I can't give you an answer right now, Liyue, there will come a day when I will go there too," he said.

He couldn't be completely certain at this moment. Therefore, his words were vague. As for when he would go to Liyue, it depended on the system, waiting for the right time to open a branch there. Once the system allowed, he could go to Liyue and open a branch.

"On behalf of Liyue's Seven Stars, I welcome Mr. Owner to Liyue," Keqing said.

Though Takarou wasn't sure, his willingness was enough.

"Oh, by the way, Master Ke... cough, Keqing, do you have any extra land deeds in Liyue? I plan to buy a house where I can open a branch there" he asked.

"Land deeds?"

"Let me think." Afterward, Keqing pondered in her mind.

After a while, she regained her focus and looked at Takarou.

"Mr. Owner, near Hu Yan, not far from the Adventurers' Guild, there is a storefront available."

"But the price there..."

"Give me the price."

"If it were someone else, they would need to pay 500,000 Mora to acquire it. However, if it's Mr. Owner who wants to buy it, I can give you a discount. 300,000 Mora will be enough," she offered.

Keqing took her work seriously.

If it were someone else, she wouldn't give such a favor. But Takarou was different.

Firstly, Takarou was very mysterious. Moreover, his visit to the New Century Comic Store had proven that reading comics there indeed rewarded him, which wasn't a deception. Furthermore, Ningguang had sent her here to assess the situation at the New Century Comic Store and ask Takarou if he wanted to visit Li Yue. And she had obtained her answer from Takarou. One shouldn't offend such a mysterious person; it would be better to establish a good relationship. That's why Keqing said 300,000 Mora would suffice.

"Alright then, here are 300,000 Mora. After you return to Li Yue, please handle the land deed for me," Takarou said, conjuring an origami crane in his hand.

"After the paperwork is done, write the details on this origami crane. Once the purchase is finalized, just say it to the crane, and it will fly from Li Yue to me."

"Oh, such a miraculous item?" Keqing's eyes brightened as she looked at the origami crane Takarou handed her.

This origami crane was truly convenient. After all, Li Yue was quite far from Mondstadt. It took them around two days to travel from Li Yue to Mondstadt at their fast pace.

"Okay, Mr. Owner. After I return to Li Yue and handle the house matters, I will write the information on the origami crane," Keqing accepted the origami crane and kept it safe.

Captain Jean's expression became somewhat complicated. However, as one of Li Yue's Seven Stars, Keqing was still here, and there were certain things she couldn't say in front of her. Moreover, Takarou also had the intention to go to Li Yue. She couldn't possibly stop Takarou from going there.

After all, if Takarou left for Li Yue, there might be no chance for this comic store in Mondstadt to continue operating. Then they wouldn't have the opportunity to read comics here and receive rewards. Unexpectedly, one of Li Yue's Seven Stars, Keqing, came to Mondstadt to compete with them. Captain Jean took a deep breath and smiled, looking at Keqing.

"Miss Keqing, since you've finished reading the comics, how about we grab a meal first, and then I'll take you somewhere?" she suggested.

"Okay," Keqing glanced at Jean and nodded. Subsequently, the two of them left the New Century Comic Store together.

"Hey, Boss Takarou, when are you planning to go to Li Yue? Do you want to come with us?" Paimon flew in front of Takarou, widening her eyes curiously.

Looking at Paimon's innocent appearance, Takarou reached out and pinched her cheek.

"I already said it earlier, I'm still uncertain for now," he replied.

"However, maybe a few days after you guys arrive in Li Yue, I'll go there too."

"If you go to Li Yue, Mr. Owner, will the Mondstadt New Century Comic Store still be open?" Lumine also approached.

"Who said it won't? Of course, it will be open," Takarou assured them.

"If I go to Li Yue, I'll naturally open a branch."

"But... Li Yue is so far from Mondstadt, and there's only one person running the store here. It would be time-consuming to go back and forth, right?" Paimon still had a puzzled expression.

"Hahaha, you'll find out when the time comes," Takarou chuckled.

At the Deer Hunter restaurant, Captain Jean and Keqing ordered some food. Keqing's favorite dish, Golden Shrimp Balls, wasn't available in Mondstadt, so she had to adapt to the local cuisine. After finishing their meal, Captain Jean led Keqing to Albedo's laboratory in Mondstadt. At the entrance, Captain Jean knocked on the door. Soon, a man opened the door, and it was Albedo.

"Captain Jean, you're here. And who is this?" Albedo asked.

"Albedo, this is Keqing, one of Li Yue's Seven Stars, the Jade Constellation," Captain Jean introduced.

"Keqing, this is Albedo, the alchemist of our Mondstadt city," she continued.

"Hello, Mr. Albedo," Keqing greeted.

"Hello, Miss Keqing," Albedo replied.

"Albedo, are the things ready?" Captain Jean asked.

"Captain Jean, everything is prepared," Albedo confirmed.

"Then let's go outside and test it," Captain Jean suggested.

"Just a moment," Albedo said.

He then prepared a rocket launcher and three bombs. Curious about the things in Albedo's hands, Keqing hesitated but didn't ask.

Seeing Keqing's hesitant expression, Captain Jean smiled but didn't explain. Some things couldn't be fully explained through words alone; it would be better for Keqing to see the power of the rocket launcher and discuss it in detail afterward.

They arrived at a secluded area, and Captain Jean nodded to Albedo. Then, Albedo began preparing. He loaded the bombs into the rocket launcher. Taking aim at a hilichurl camp five hundred meters away, he pulled the trigger. With a swooshing sound, the bomb flew out of the rocket launcher and headed straight for the hilichurl camp.

Boom!

The bomb landed in the hilichurl camp and caused a massive explosion. When the dust settled, the hilichurl camp had turned into ruins.

"Captain Jean, what is this tool...?" Keqing's face showed a surprised expression.

Within a five-hundred-meter radius, all the hilichurl could be eliminated without anyone having to approach them.

Wasn't this rocket launcher much more effective than the bows and arrows in Li Yue?

If the Qixing of Li Yue had such tools in their hands, they would be able to easily eliminate enemies like the hilichurl, Fatui, and Abyss Order in the wilderness.

"This tool is called a rocket launcher. You load the bombs into it, and it has a targeting device. Just shoulder it, aim at a spot, and pull the trigger to launch the bomb from the rocket launcher," Albedo explained.

"As for the rocket launcher we researched in Mondstadt, its range is up to eight hundred meters."

"Keqing, what do you think about the power of this rocket launcher researched in Mondstadt?" Captain Jean asked.

_____________

Seeing Keqing's astonished gaze, Acting Grand Master Jean felt delighted.

At this moment, she temporarily held the firepower of Mondstadt City. However, she didn't become too proud because the rocket launcher was provided by Mr. Owner. Without Mr. Owner and Albedo, they wouldn't have been able to research it. Even if they could, it would have taken a long time.

Mr. Owner gave them a direction and a research path. If they still couldn't achieve it, Albedo wouldn't be known as an alchemist.

"Acting Grand Master Jean, I noticed that Mr. Albedo didn't use the Vision just now. Does it mean that the rocket launcher doesn't require the power of a Vision to generate such great power?"

"That's correct. Even ordinary people can use this rocket launcher. However, the power of the explosion relies on the damage caused by the bomb. If the bomb's power is insufficient, then the rocket launcher's power won't be impressive either."

Albedo personally made the bombs, and some of Klee's own researched bombs were used as well, so the resulting explosion was naturally powerful. However, the effect of Klee's bombs was somewhat reduced. If Klee had used them, this place might have become the next "Watchtower" all over again.

"Keqing, I think you would like this rocket launcher, wouldn't you?"

Keqing had always wanted to make Liyue stronger and envelop all seven nations with her Qunyu Pavilion. With the rocket launcher, Liyue's strength would reach another level. Their Liyue Qixing Army was still using spears and bows, but Mondstadt had already researched rocket launchers. Given a few more years of development in Mondstadt...

By that time, Mondstadt's strength might surpass Liyue's. (Of course, this doesn't include the archons.)

"Acting Grand Master Jean, by showing me the rocket launcher, I assume you have the intention to sell it to Liyue?"

"That's right, Miss Keqing also witnessed the power of the rocket launcher."

"Although Mondstadt has already researched rocket launchers, we would warmly welcome Liyue if they have the intention to purchase. After all, the relationship between Mondstadt and Liyue has always been good."

Who would want more enemies when they could have more friends? Moreover, Liyue was Mondstadt's neighbor. Jean, as the acting Grand Master, knew that Liyue's strength was much stronger than Mondstadt's. After all, Liyue not only had the Seven Stars but also the Three Eyed and Five Manifestations True Immortals. Now that they were on good terms with Liyue, if something big happened in Mondstadt and they needed Liyue's help, Liyue would also choose to assist them out of face.

"Miss Keqing, would you like to give it a try?"

"After all, it's better to know it from top to bottom, and it will be convenient for you to talk to Miss Ningguang in detail after you return."

"Then I'll give it a try."

She couldn't possibly say she didn't want to try this thing. When she saw Albedo using the rocket launcher earlier, she already wanted to give it a try. However, in Mondstadt, Jean was the one in charge, and she was just a guest. Now that Jean had invited her, she naturally had to give it a try. Jean was also right; after trying it out, she could tell Ningguang about her experience when she returned.

Afterward, Keqing also gave it a try. With each try, she liked this thing more and more. When the time came, if Ningguang really wanted to buy it from Mondstadt, she would make sure Ningguang gave her a rocket launcher to play with.

"Well then, Miss Keqing, let's return to Mondstadt City together and discuss the matters concerning the rocket launcher."

"Yes."

At the New Century Bookstore, Lumine and Paimon stayed in the shop without disturbing Takarou much.

At this moment, Takarou quietly recited in his mind, "System! Begin drawing rewards."

"Task Two: The bookstore has received 20 customers. You can draw one reward, a manga."

"Draw the manga first."

"Drawing in progress."

"Congratulations, you have obtained the manga: 'Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit: The Seven Heroes'."

"'Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit: The Seven Heroes': In the year 347, in the beautiful landscapes of Zhangjiajie, the evil sect led by Black-hearted Tiger set fire to the mountains, causing great devastation and intending to capture the forest spirit beast, Qilin, to enhance their internal power and dominate the martial arts world.

In order to maintain peace and prosperity in the forest, Rainbow Cat's father, along with Blue Rabbit's mother and five others, united their swords to defeat Black-hearted Tiger. However, the battle left the seven heroes injured or crippled.

In the year 397, Black-hearted Tiger returned with the evil sect. The only way to stop him was for the seven heroes to unite once again. However, at this time, the whereabouts of the six other heroes were unknown, except for Rainbow Cat's father who had already sacrificed himself.

Following his father's final wishes, Rainbow Cat took on the responsibility of saving the forest and set out to find the descendants of the other six heroes.

After fierce battles and challenges, the seven heroes finally reunited and defeated Black-hearted Tiger, completely eradicating the evil sect. The Forest Kingdom returned to its former peace and prosperity."

"Oh, I didn't expect to get a domestic manga this time: 'Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit: The Seven Heroes'."

Upon hearing this familiar name, Takarou couldn't help but be reminded of his childhood. Back then, as soon as he got home and finished his homework, he would sit in front of the TV and watch 'Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit: The Heroes' Adventures'. It was a nostalgic memory of his childhood.

He never expected that after coming to this world, he would still be able to read this familiar manga. 'Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit: The Seven Heroes' was a childhood and youth memory for many people. As an excellent domestic manga, it occupied the school memories of many friends. However, although it was the most popular manga at the time, its ending made many people continuously criticize it.

Combined with some parents reporting it, 'Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit: The Seven Heroes' was eventually banned from being broadcasted due to its later content being like children playing house. Red Cat's character was poorly written and the story lost its power.

Takarou looked at the manga in his hand and was relieved that he had obtained the first half. If it were the second half... he probably wouldn't feel comfortable placing it on the bookshelf.

He placed the 'Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit: The Seven Heroes' manga on the bookshelf and returned to the front desk. He silently recited in his mind, "System, begin drawing rewards."

"Congratulations, you have obtained the Gourmet Expert Tablecloth and the Tears of the Void."

"The Gourmet Expert Tablecloth?"

"Isn't that the item Paimon has been longing for? I actually obtained it myself."

Takarou found it amusing. Every time Paimon came to the shop, she always choose to read 'Doraemon' manga, so Takarou knew that Paimon had always desired the item from there, the Gourmet Expert Tablecloth. Now that he had obtained it himself, he imagined that Paimon would be disappointed when she saw it later.

However, when it came to the Tears of the Void...

That was one of Baiyuechu's (White Moon's) most powerful weapons in Fox Spirit Matchmaker. It appeared light and ethereal, but its destructive power was tremendous. It could alter space and cut through it.